Extended cycle timer with momentary switch

ABSTRACT

A timer wherein the &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;push or pull&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; of a shaft means, which carries a cam means for actuating switches responsive to the cam means, actuates an actuator means which in turn actuates a contact blade to open and close electrical contacts. The cam means includes a cycle selector means coupled to a constant drive means, and an intermittent drive means coupled to the shaft means, with means responsive to the cycle selector means to selectively energize the intermittent drive means.

tates itent 1 1 1 (Ihestnut et al. May 22, 1973 [54] EXTENDED CYCLE TIMER W ii 3,249,712 5/1966 Rhodes et a1 ..200/83 P MOMENTARY SWITCH 3,306,996 2/ 1967 Simmons et al.. .....200/38 B 3,371,170 2/1968 Thomas et al ..200/38 B Inventors: Beltiamin 4311mm; 5 mp 3,449,699 6 1969 Davin ....200/38 B x Wiser, both of Indianapolis, Ind. 3,465,110 9/1969 Marcel et al. ..200/38 B Assignee: Mallory & lndi- FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS anapolis, Ind.

951,235 3/1964 Great Britain ..200/38 B [22] Filed: Aug. 19, 1971 Primary Examiner-J. R. Scott [211 App! 173318 Att0rneyRichard 1-1. Childress, Robert F. Meyer,

Related 5. Applicamm m Henry W. Cummings and C. Carter Ells [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 813,522, May 4, 1969, [57] ABSACT abandoned. I

A timer wherein the push or pull of a shaft means, 52 us. on. ..200/38 R, 200/36, 200/38 B which Carries a Cam means for actuating Switches 51 1m. 1131. ..1110111 43/00 responsive the cam means, mates actuawr 58 Field in Search ..200/166 J, 35-38; means which in mm mates a blade 0Pen 335/75 and close electrical contacts. The cam means includes a cycle selector means coupled to a constant drive 56] References (:ited means, and an intermittent drive means coupled to the shaft means, with means responsive to the cycle selec- UNITED STATES PATENTS tor means to selectively energize the intermittent drive 3,373,253 3/1968 Davin ..200/38 R means 3,246,090 4/1966 Beck ..200/36 14 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEWYZP'W 3.735.062

Slit-1 1 HF I INVENTORS 82 :05 BENJAMIN F. CHESTNUT F145. 2 2O JOSEPH E.WISER ATTORNE PATENIEL WY 2 2 m m SHhET L INVENTORS BENJAMIN F CHESTN JOSEPH E.. WISER M 0 ATTORNEY EXTENDED CYCLE TIMER WITH MOMENTARY SWITCH This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 813,522 filed Apr. 4, 1969, now abandoned.

This invention relates to timers and more particularly to timers which are used in domestic clothes drying machines.

In domestic clothes dryers, a door switch is ordinarily provided in order to interrupt the rotation of the drive motor and the tumbling drum whenever the door of the dryer is open. This is done in order to provide operator safety in the machine. In dryers using a timer motor to control the length of the drying operation, the timer motor also is usually de-energized during this period.

In some machines, the control system is so arranged that the dryer immediately goes back into operation as soon as the door is closed. In other machines, there is provided a manual switch, separate from the means to set the various washing and drying cycles. The present invention utilizes a momentary switch to start the operation of the dryer through the actuation of the shaft which carries the timer cams.

Further with respect to clothes dryers, there has arisen, in recent years, a need in timers to provide a means for re-cycling at least a portion of the timer program when occasion demands it. For. example, there is a need for a control system that provides for rearranging and refluffing permanent press fabrics every few minutes if they are not removed from the dryer at the end of the automatic or timed drying period.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a timer having means to start the operation of the timer through the actuation of a momentary switch means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a timer wherein a momentary switch is actuated through the axial movement of the shaft carrying the cam programming means of the timer.

A further object of the invention is to provide a'timer wherein the momentary switch is energized through the making of electrical contacts in response to a push or pull of the timer shaft.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a timer wherein a contact blade is actuated through the push or pull of the timer shaft.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a timer wherein a contact blade is made responsive to the push or pull of the timer shaft through an actuator means wherein the actuator means is coupled to the contact blade substantially between the fixed and free ends of the contact blade.

Another object of the invention is to provide a timer wherein a contact blade is actuated through an actuator means, the actuator means being coupled to the timer shaft through a spring-biased washer means.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a timer having a cam programming means carried by a timer shaft with a cycle selector means also carried by the timer shaft.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a timer having a cycle selector means driven by a constant drive means with an intermittent drive means coupled to the timer shaft, and means responsive to the cycle selector means to selectively energize the intermittent drive means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a timer wherein the means responsive to the cycle selector means is a solenoid means and wherein the intermittent drive means is a speed reducing means.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a timer wherein the intermittent drive means is a motor means with a speed reducing means and the means responsive to the cycle selector means is the motor means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a timer having an intermittent drive means which is coupled to the timer shaft through a frictional clutch means.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a timer wherein electrical switch means is responsive to a cam programming means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a timer wherein the electrical switch means responsive to the cam programming means includes fixed and movable contacts with means limiting the travel of the movable contact when it becomes disengaged from the fixed contact.

Another object of the invention is to provide a timer which is simple, compact and economical to produce.

These and other objects and the nature thereof will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers describe elements of a similar function.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the timer of the present invention with a portion of the timer housing and the drive means being removed;

FIG. 2 is a view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 with portions thereof being removed for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1 showing a contact blade used in the timer;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the timer showing another embodiment.

Generally speaking, there is provided in'a timer' at least one electrical switch means responsive to at least one cam means carried by rotating shaft means, a contact blade fixedly held at one end thereof and including at least one electrical contact at the free end thereof, contact blade actuator means coupling the blade to the shaft means, and means coupling the actuator means to the contact blade substantially between the fixed and free ends of the blade, axial movement of the shaft means engaging the electrical contact with a second electrical contact.

The invention further contemplates the combination of a cam programming means carried by an axially movable and rotatable shaft means, the programming means including cycle selector means, the cycle selector means coupled to a constant drive means; an intermittent drive means coupled to the shaft means; means responsive to the cycle selector means to selectively energize the intermittent drive means; switch means responsive to the cam programming means; and a second switch means responsive to axial movement of the shaft means, the second switch means including fixed electrical contacts and at least one movable contact carried by a contact blade fixedly mounted at one end; a pivotally mounted actuator means coupled to the contact blade substantially between the fixed and free ends thereof; and means coupling the actuator means to the shaft means.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly FIGS. 1-4, there is shown a timer 'which is enclosed in a housing means 12. Housing means 12 includes a base member 11, a terminal board 13 and a cover means 14. A plurality of electrical terminals 16 are held by terminal plate 13 through suitable means, such as rivets 18. A shaft means 20, which includes a double-D shaped portion 20' and a reduced portion 20" is axially and rotatably movable within housing means 12. The shaft means is rotatably journalled in aperture 24 and bushing means 26. It is axially movable in that the shaft can be pulled. The double-D portion 20' carries a cam programming means 22. Cam programming means 22 includes cam means l-7 each having a centrally disposed aperture 28 which is adapted to mate the double- D configuration 20' of the shaft means 20 and a cycle selector means 30 which is mounted on shaft means 20 so as to be free-wheeling. That is, cycle selector means 30 has an aperture 32 which does not mate the double-D portion of the shaft 20. Cycle selector means 30 includes a cam means 34 and a gear means 36. Gear means 36 engages idler gear 40. Idler gear 40 is included as part of speed reducing means 42 which is partially shown in FIG. 3. As shown, the speed reducing means includes a gear train. The speed reducing means couples the cycle selector means 30 to pinion 44 such that the cycle selector means can be constantly driven through constant drive means which includes motor means 46. The constant drive means also includes speed reducing means 42 disposed in housing 48 which is directly coupled to pinion 44. Motor means 46 includes a suitable motor such as a synchronous motor.

Shaft means 20 is spring biased for axial movement through spring means 50 which includes a coil spring 52 surrounding the reduced portion 20" of shaft means 20. Washer means 54 serves as a means coupling the shaft means 20 to the actuator means 56. Actuator means 56 includes a rocker means 58 pivotally mounted to housing means 12. The actuator means 56 is coupled to washer means 54 and to a contact blade 60 (more clearly shown in FIG. 4) through suitable gripping means such as jaws 62 and 62' respectively. As more clearly shown in FIG. 4, gripping means 62 grip the contact blade 60 between the free end and the fixed end of the contact blade, the contact blade being fixedly mounted to cover means 14 through suitable means such as rivets 64. Contact blade 60 is lanced so as to form a center actuator 66 and side reactors 68 so as to give a snap acting action to the blade. To further facilitate the snap acting action the side reactors 68 include depressions 70. At the free end of the blade there is disposed an electrical contact 72 adapted to engage fixed contact 74. When shaft means 20 is pulled, actuator means 56 snaps actuator 66 upwardly to the dotted position so as to lower movable contact 72 into engagement with fixed contact 74.

As shown in the present embodiment, shaft means 20 is biased such that the contacts are in a normally open position with the shaft being pulled to close the contacts. It should be understood, however, that shaft means 20 could be arranged such that the opposite condition could be used; that is, the shaft could be pushed to close the contacts. By electrically connecting the electrical terminals associated with the fixed electrical contact to the motor means 46, the present arrangement could be used to start the timer in a dryer when the door is closed merely by pulling the shaft means 20.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown a means 76 responsive to the cycle selector means 30 to selectively energize an intermittent drive means 78. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, such means includes a solenoid 80 and an actuator means 82. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, which will be hereinafter described, the means responsive to the cycle selector means to selectively energize the intermittent drive means includes a motor means 84. An actuator means 82 includes a rocker means 86 pivotally mounted through pin 87 which is carried by cover plate 11, spring biased gear means 88 and means 90 coupling the gear means 88 to the rocker means 86. Means 90 includes a substantially flat disc 92 biased against gear means 88 and having a pin 94 extending therefrom. Gear means 88 is spring biased through coil spring 96 which is disposed between the gear-means 88 and the housing 48. The coil spring 96 surrounds one of a plurality of support members 98 used in the housing 48. Gear means 88 is in mesh with gear 100 of speed reducing .means 42. Actuation of solenoid 80 causes plunger 102 to engage rocker means 86 so as to force a pin 94 and disc 92 upwards so as to engage gear means 88 with intermittent drive means 78. Intermittent drive means 78 includes speed reducing means or gear train 104 which includes idler gear 106 (FIG. 2) and drive clutch means 108. Drive clutch means 108 includes gear means 110, the gear means being frictionally connected to bushing 26 through spring washers 112 and 112'. It should be understood that solenoid 76 is responsive to cycle selector means 30 through electrical terminals 16' and an electrical switch means such as is indicated with numeral 15.

In operation, such as when being used as a timer for a clothes dryer, motor means 46 is constantly driving cycle selector means 30 through speed reducing means 42 independently of shaft means 20. When cycle selector means 30 calls for a drying cycle, solenoid 80 is actuated to drop plunger 102 to pivot rocker means 86 so as to bias pin 94 and thus gear means 88 so as to engage gear means 88 with intermittent drive means 78. Since the engagement of intermittent drive means 78 connects the intermittent drive means to the speed reducing means 42, shaft means 20 will be rotated through the intermittent drive means which includes frictionaldrive clutch 108. When the drying cycle has been ended, cycle selector means 30 de-energizes solenoid 80 to thus disengage the intermittent drive means 78. Since the motor means 46 is constantly running, cycle selector means 30 will continue to run, such that if the appliance operator does not come to remove the clothes, cycle selector means 30 will again energize solenoid 80 and the cycle repeated.

Referring now to FIG. 5, another embodiment of the invention is shown. Although not shown in FIG. 5, the cam programming means 22 of FIG. 2 and the shaft means, the switch means and other elements shown within housing 12 will be substantially similar to that shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the means responsive to the cycle selector means 30 includes a motor means 84. Motor means 84, which may be of the synchronous motor type, is electrically connected to terminals 16 so as to be responsive to the cycle selector means 30 in a manner similar to the embodiment using the solenoid. The intermittent drive means in this embodiment includes motor means 84, speed reducing means 114, drive pinion 105 and drive clutch 108 shown in FIG. 2. Drive clutch 108 again meshes with an idler gear 106 which in turn meshes with pinion 105 which are included as the speed reducing means 114. Since the basic difference between this embodiment and the embodiments of FIGS. l-3 is that of substituting the motor drive means 84 for the solenoid 80, it can readily be seen that the operation of this embodiment is similar to that of the solenoid embodiment. More specifically, drive motor 46 constantly rotates cycle selector means 30 until such time as cycle selector means 30 energizes the motor means 84 through suitable electrical terminals 16' and switch means 15. When motor means 84 is energized, shaft means 20 rotates at a programmed speed as is dictated by speed reducing means 114 until cycle selector means 30 again calls for the motor to be de-energized.

Returning now to FIGJI, another feature of the invention is shown. According to this feature of the invention, the travel of movable contact 116 of switch means is limited such that when the actuator blade 1 18 becomes disengaged from the arcuate step 120' of the cam 120, the blade actuator 122 will not fall against the cam 120. As is more clearly shown with reference to switch means 15, which shows the switch in the open position, the movable contact 116 includes ears 124 adapted to engage stop means 126. Stop means 126 includes a shelf 128 integrally connected to the housing means 12. The shelf 128 also serves as a means for retaining fixed contact 130. Thus when contact blade 118' drops, actuator means 122' does not ride on the cam step 120". This feature serves to lengthen the life of the cam.

Thus there is described a timer, the features of which, in combination, provide for a means to quickly and easily start the timer if it has been intermittently shut off, and it further provides for a simple and compact means for initiating timer cycles, the novel features of which are recited in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a timer wherein at least one switch means is responsive to at least one cam means carried by rotating shaft means, a contact blade fixedly held at one end and including at least one electrical contact at the free end thereof, said contact blade including an actuator centrally disposed longitudinally between edges of said contact blade and reactors disposed along opposite sides of said actuator and integral therewith spring biased washer means carried by said shaft means, contact blade actuator means coupled to said spring biased washer means, and means coupling said actuator means to said centrally disposed actuator substantially between the fixed and free ends of said blade, axial movement of said shaft means engaging said electrical contact with a second electrical contact.

2. In a timer according to claim 1, wherein said contact blade includes a pair of depressions disposed in said reactors.

3. In a timer according to claim 1, wherein said contact blade actuator means includes a rocker means pivotally mounted between the free ends thereof.

4. In a timer according to claim 3, wherein said rocker means includes gripping means slidably coupled to said spring biased washer means and said centrally disposed actuator.

5. In a timer according to claim 4, wherein said gripping means includes jaw means extending from opposed ends of said rocker means.

6. In combination, a cam programming means carried by an axially movable and rotatable shaft, said programming means including cycle selector means, said cycle selector means coupled to a constant speed drive means; an intermittent drive means coupled to said shaft; a solenoid means and an actuator means responsive to said cycle selector means, said intermittent drive means including a speed reducing means, a gear means carried by said shaft and spring washers disposed on opposed sides of said gear surrounding and biased against said shaft, energizing said solenoid means engaging said actuator means with said speed reducing means thereby energizing said intermittent drive means; switch means responsive to daid cam programming means; and a second switch means responsive to axial movement of said shaft, said second switch means including fixed electrical contacts and at least one movable contact carried by a contact blade fixedly mounted at one end; a pivotally mounted actuator means coupled to said contact blade; and means coupling said actuator means to said shaft.

7. The combination according to claim 6, wherein said actuator means includes spring biased gear means, pivotally mounted rocket means responsive to said solenoid means coupling said rocker means to said spring biased gear means.

8. The combination according to claim 7,-wherein said means coupling said rocker means to said spring biased gear means includes a substantially flat disc biased against said gear means, and pin means extending from said disc and engaged with said rocker means.

9. In combination, a cam programming means carried by an axially movable and rotatable shaft, said programming means including cycle selector means coupled to a constant speed drive means; an intermittent drive means including a motor means responsive to said cycle selector means and a speed reducing means; a clutch means including a gear means carried by said shaft and spring washer disposed in opposed sides of said gear surrounding and biased against said shaft; energizing said motor means causing rotation of said shaft; switch means responsive to said cam programming means; and a second switch means responsive to axial movement of said shaft, said second switch means including fixed electrical contacts and at least one movable contact carried by a contact blade fixedly mounted at one end; a pivotally mounted actuator means coupled to said contact blade; and spring washer means carried by said shaft engaging said actuator means to said shaft.

10. In a timer according to claim 9, wherein said elec trical switch means includes a fixed contact and a movable contact adapted to engage said fixed contact, and means limiting the travel of said movable contact when it disengages said fixed contact in response to said cam programming means.

11. In a timer according to claim 10, wherein said means limiting the travel of said movable contact comprises ears extending from said movable contact and stop means adapted to mate said ears.

12. In combination, a cam programming means carried by an axially movable and rotatable shaft, said programming means including cycle selector means coupled to constant speed drive means; an intermittent drive means coupled to said shaft; a solenoid means and an actuator means responsive to said cycle selector means, said intermittent drive means including a speed reducing means, a gear means carried by said shaft and spring washers disposed on opposed sides of said gear surrounding and biased against said shaft, energizing said solenoid means engaging said actuator means with said speed reducing means thereby energizing said intermittent drive means; and electrical switch means responsive to said cam programming means including a fixed contact and a movable contact adapted to engage said fixed contact, and ears extending from said movable contact and stop means engaging said ears to limit the travel of said movable contact when it disengages said fixed contact.

13. In combination, a cam programming means carried by an axially movable and rotatable shaft, said programming means including cycle selector means coupled to a constant speed drive means; an intermittent drive means responsive to said cycle selector means; said intermittent drive means including a motor means responsive to said cycle selector means and a speed reducing means; clutch means including a gear means carried by said shaft and spring washers disposed on opposed sides of said gear surrounding and biased against said motor means causing rotation of said shaft; and electrical switch means responsive to said cam programming means including a fixed contact and a movable contact adapted to engage said fixed contact, and ears extending from said movable contact and stop means engaging said ears to limit the travel of said movable contact when it disengages said fixed contact.

14. In combination a. a rotatable shaft,

b. first and second cam programming means carried by said rotatable shaft, and first and second electrical switch means responsive to said first and second cam programming means, respectively,

c. motor drive means including a gear means,

d. intermittent drive meanscoupled to said rotatable shaft,

e. a solenoid responsive to an opening and closing of said second electrical switch means, and

f. an actuator means responsive to said solenoid, en-

ergizing said solenoid causing said gear means to engage said intermittent drive means so as to inter mittently drive said rotatable shaft. 

1. In a timer wherein at least one switch means is responsive to at least one cam means carried by rotating shaft means, a contact blade fixedly held at one end and including at least one electrical contact at the free end thereof, said contact blade including an actuator centrally disposed longitudinally between edges of said contact blade and reactors disposed along opposite sides of said actuator and integral therewith spring biased washer means carried by said shaft means, contact blade actuator means coupled to said spring biased washer means, and means coupling said actuator means to said centrally disposed actuator substantially between the fixed and free ends of said blade, axial movement of said shaft means engaging said electrical contact with a second electrical contact.
 2. In a timer according to claim 1, wherein said contact blade includes a pair of depressions disposed in said reactors.
 3. In a timer according to claim 1, wherein said contact blade actuator means includes a rocker means pivotally mounted between the free ends thereof.
 4. In a timer according to claim 3, wherein said rocker means includes gripping means slidably coupled to said spring biased washer means and said centrally disposed actuator.
 5. In a timer according to claim 4, wherein said gripping means includes jaw means extending from opposed ends of said rocker means.
 6. In combination, a cam programming means carried by an axially movable and rotatable shaft, said programming means including cycle selector means, said cycle selector means coupled to a constant speed drive means; an intermittent drive means coupled to said shaft; a solenoid means and an actuator means responsive to said cycle selector means, said intermittent drive means including a speed reducing means, a gear means carried by said shaft and spring washers disposed on opposed sides of said gear surrounding and biased against said shaft, energizing said solenoid means engaging said actuator means with said speed reducing means thereby energizing said intermittent drive means; switch means responsive to daid cam programming means; and a second switch means responsive to axial movement of said shaft, said second switch means including fixed electrical contacts and at least one movable contact carried by a contact blade fixedly mounted at one end; a pivotally mounted actuator means coupled to said contact blade; and means coupling said actuator means to said shaft.
 7. The combination according to claim 6, wherein said actuator means includes spring biased gear means, pivotally mounted rocket means responsive to said solenoid means coupling said rocker means to said spring biased gear means.
 8. The combination according to claim 7, wherein said means coupling said rocker means to said spring biased gear means includes a substantially flat disc biased against said gear means, and pin means extending from said disc and engaged with said rocker means.
 9. In combination, a cam programming means carried by an axially movable and rotatable shaft, said programming means including cycle selector means coupled to a constant speed Drive means; an intermittent drive means including a motor means responsive to said cycle selector means and a speed reducing means; a clutch means including a gear means carried by said shaft and spring washer disposed in opposed sides of said gear surrounding and biased against said shaft; energizing said motor means causing rotation of said shaft; switch means responsive to said cam programming means; and a second switch means responsive to axial movement of said shaft, said second switch means including fixed electrical contacts and at least one movable contact carried by a contact blade fixedly mounted at one end; a pivotally mounted actuator means coupled to said contact blade; and spring washer means carried by said shaft engaging said actuator means to said shaft.
 10. In a timer according to claim 9, wherein said electrical switch means includes a fixed contact and a movable contact adapted to engage said fixed contact, and means limiting the travel of said movable contact when it disengages said fixed contact in response to said cam programming means.
 11. In a timer according to claim 10, wherein said means limiting the travel of said movable contact comprises ears extending from said movable contact and stop means adapted to mate said ears.
 12. In combination, a cam programming means carried by an axially movable and rotatable shaft, said programming means including cycle selector means coupled to constant speed drive means; an intermittent drive means coupled to said shaft; a solenoid means and an actuator means responsive to said cycle selector means, said intermittent drive means including a speed reducing means, a gear means carried by said shaft and spring washers disposed on opposed sides of said gear surrounding and biased against said shaft, energizing said solenoid means engaging said actuator means with said speed reducing means thereby energizing said intermittent drive means; and electrical switch means responsive to said cam programming means including a fixed contact and a movable contact adapted to engage said fixed contact, and ears extending from said movable contact and stop means engaging said ears to limit the travel of said movable contact when it disengages said fixed contact.
 13. In combination, a cam programming means carried by an axially movable and rotatable shaft, said programming means including cycle selector means coupled to a constant speed drive means; an intermittent drive means responsive to said cycle selector means; said intermittent drive means including a motor means responsive to said cycle selector means and a speed reducing means; clutch means including a gear means carried by said shaft and spring washers disposed on opposed sides of said gear surrounding and biased against said motor means causing rotation of said shaft; and electrical switch means responsive to said cam programming means including a fixed contact and a movable contact adapted to engage said fixed contact, and ears extending from said movable contact and stop means engaging said ears to limit the travel of said movable contact when it disengages said fixed contact.
 14. In combination a. a rotatable shaft, b. first and second cam programming means carried by said rotatable shaft, and first and second electrical switch means responsive to said first and second cam programming means, respectively, c. motor drive means including a gear means, d. intermittent drive means coupled to said rotatable shaft, e. a solenoid responsive to an opening and closing of said second electrical switch means, and f. an actuator means responsive to said solenoid, energizing said solenoid causing said gear means to engage said intermittent drive means so as to intermittently drive said rotatable shaft. 